Gholām-Hossein Banān (; 5 May 1911 – 27 February 1986) was an

Iranian Iranian () may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Iran ** Iranian diaspora, Iranians living outside Iran ** Iranian architecture, architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia ** Iranian cuisine, cooking traditions and practic ...

musician and singer. One of the most prominent Iranian singers of the 20th century, he was renowned for the quality of his voice.

Biography

Born in

Tehran Tehran (; , ''Tehrân'') is the capital and largest city of Iran. It is the capital of Tehran province, and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District (Tehran County), Central District. With a population of around 9. ...

, Banān descended from a prominent family "with a background in government service". His father, Karim Khan Banān ol-Dowleh (son of Mohammad-Taqi Mirza Fazlollah Khan Mostowfi Nuri) was an admirer of traditional music. His mother was related to the ruling

Qajar dynasty The Qajar family (; 1789–1925) was an Iranian royal family founded by Mohammad Khan (), a member of the Qoyunlu clan of the Turkoman-descended Qajar tribe. The dynasty's effective rule in Iran ended in 1925 when Iran's '' Majlis'', conven ...

of Iran; she was the daughter of Mohammad Taqi Mirza Rokn ed-Dowleh, a brother of

Naser al-Din Shah Qajar Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (; ; 17 July 1831 – 1 May 1896) was the fourth Shah of Qajar Iran from 5 September 1848 to 1 May 1896 when he was assassinated. During his rule there was internal pressure from the people of Iran, as well as external ...

(1848–1896). Margaret Caton notes that Banān grew up in an environment where artistic development was fostered; his father sang and played the

tar Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat. "a dark brown or black b ...

, while his mother played piano. Banān's maternal aunt played the

ney The ney ( ; ) is an end-blown flute that figures prominently in traditional Persian, Turkish, Jewish, Arab, and Egyptian music. In some of these musical traditions, it is the only wind instrument used. The ney has been played for over 4,500 ye ...

, and his sisters studied the tar with Morteza Neidavoud. From the age of six Gholam-Hossein Banān began to take lessons in singing and playing the piano and organ through the encouragement of Morteza Neidavoud who was quick to recognize him as musically talented. Gholām-Hossein's first teachers were his parents. He subsequently studied with Mirzā Tāher Ziā oz-Zākerin Rasā'í and Nāser Seif.

Ali-Naqi Vaziri Ali-Naqi Vaziri (; October 1, 1886 in Tehran – September 9, 1979) was a composer, thinker and a celebrated player of the tar. He is considered a revolutionary icon in the history of 20th-century Persian music. His name was also transcribed a ...

later introduced him to the acclaimed Rouhollah Khāleghi. Banān joined the Iranian National Music Association in 1942, and appeared on Iranian National Radio that same year. He then joined the orchestra of the distinguished pianist Javād Maroufi, becoming the lead vocalist. In 1957 or 1958, Banān became blind in his right eye following a car accident. Banān died 7:00 pm on Thursday 27 February 1986 in Iranmehr Hospital in

Gholhak Gholhak or Qolhak () is a neighborhood located in District 3 of Tehran Municipality. It is bounded on the east by the Darrous neighborhood (Fakourian Street), on the west by the Gholhak River, on the north by the British Embassy Garden, and on th ...

, Tehran. He is still remembered by lovers of traditional Persian music. Among his best-remembered songs are "

Ey Iran "" ( 'O Iran') is an Iranian patriotic song serving as the country's ''de facto'' national anthem. The music was composed by Ruhollah Khaleqi, and the lyrics were written by Hossein Gol-e-Golab.''Ey Irân'' Ey Irân Video by Daryâ Dâdvar 2 ...

", "

Caravan Caravan or caravans may refer to: Transport and travel *Campervan, a type of vehicle also known as a motor caravan *Caravan (travellers), a group of travellers journeying together **Caravanserai, a place where a caravan could stop *Caravan (trail ...

" and " Elahe-ye Naz".

References

Sources

External links

''Qolamhossein Banan''

Rouhollah Khaleghi Artistic Center
).

* ttp://www.last.fm/music/Banan/+images/51560373 Picture of Banan following his automobile accident, blinding his right eye.
More info about Banan from Iranold.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banan, Gholam Hossein 1911 births 1986 deaths Iranian classical singers 20th-century Iranian male singers Singers from Tehran Burials at Emamzadeh Taher Qajar dynasty Caltex Records artists Taraneh Records artists